Mask



Y R. MALcoM 2,028,462

'MASK Jan. 2-1, 1936.

Filed Jan. 1 7, 19,55I

Patented Jan. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates more especially to the type of mask worn by the catcher in the game of soft ball baseball, namely where a more or less soft ball of comparative size is used; and the invention has for its object the provision of a mask wherein a single guard bar between the forehead and the chin is provided and the spacing between the various guard bars is such that complete protection for the face is provided against the ball coming into contact with the face.

At the same time the guard bars are so arranged that the sight opening is coextensive with the full width of the mask in order that the wearer may have complete or unobstructed vision. Y

The invention also contemplates a mask wherein the guard bars will be rigidly held in place due to the interconnected relation between the various bars and the ball prevented from displacing the'bars. i

The object and advantages of my invention will be readily comprehended from the detailed description of the accompanying drawing where- Figure 1 shows my improved mask in front elevation.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View of the same.

My invention has to do, more particularly, with masks that are intended to be worn in the game played with a somewhat soft ball and' of size somewhat larger than the well known hard baseball and in the particular embodiment of the invention the mask comprises the forehead engaging portion III and the chin portion I I, which are preferably provided with suitable pads, as at I2 and I3, secured in place by lacing as shown at I4, although any suitable method of securing the pads in placemay be employed.

The mask proper is formed out of heavy stiff wire bent into proper shape to form the frame and to fit the curvature of the forehead and of the chin.

The frame involves a single piece wire bent into an arcuate formation to provide a single face guard bar I5 curved sufficiently to extend forward of the` nose and from side to side of the mask where the bar or wire is then bent upwardly into the two side frame sections I6, I6, of equal length and the ends of the bar or wire then bent toward each other with a forward curvature to form the forehead section I1; the ends being then preferablywelded together into a rigid structure.

The forehead portion I of the mask also involves a bar or wire I8 disposed from side to side of the mask and bowed forwardly like the sec tion I1; while the ends of this wire I3y are' then bent downwardly as' shown in dotted lines at I9, I9k and rigidly secured to the section I1 by welding or any" other suitable method.

rI'hese foreheadforming sections are preferably reenforced and held in proper spaced relation by one or more spacing bars or pieces 20, which correspond in length with the length of ends I9, I9 and these'bars 20 are rigidly secured or welded to the bar I8 and to the section I1.

With the section or bars |'I an`d I8 spaced apart as shown, a forehead portion of suitable width is afforded and proper support for the padding I2 provided. Y The frame also involves a single wire or bar bent into an elongated loop disposed transversely of the frame with the upper and lower sides of the loop spaced apart as shown at 2| and 22 and the ends of the bar or wire welded or otherwise rigidly secured together to form an endless loop element whose sides 2| and 22 are bowed forwardly to conform more or less with the curvature of the chin. The sides 2| and 22 of the loop are spaced apart to give the chin portion suitable width and to provide a proper base or support for the padding I3.

The chin portion is held in position by a nose guard wire preferably in the form of a Y-shape bar or element 23 disposed vertically from the face guard bar I downwardly with the lower leg of the Y-bar preferably connected to both sides 2| and 22 of the chin loop member. The bar 23 is bowed outwardly from the bar I5 suiciently to accommodate the tip of the nose and so that the space between the upper dverging legs of the Y-bar will be disposed forward of the mouth of the wearer for proper protection and to provide an expectorating opening; the lower end being welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the loop-sides 2l and 22, thereby reenforcing the latter and maintaining the spaced relation between the loop-sides. The guard 23 may consist of a single bar split into the dverging branches at top or may consist of separate wires intimately united into the single lower leg portion.

The ends of the chin loop member are also supported in place by the two side frame wires or bars 24, 24, whose lower ends are shown welded to the opposite ends of the chin loop, while the upper ends are disposed within or rearward of the guard bar or wire I5 and then welded to the upwardly disposed sections I6, I6 and in slight spaced relation so as to provide the suitable strap receiving openings 25, 25 intermediate of the top and the bottom of the mask whereby the headgear 26 may be secured to the sides of the mask; the top portion of the headgear being secured to the top rod or bar I8 at a point intermediate of the short brace bars 20, 20, which will prevent undue shifting oi the headgear strap.

As is apparent, the nose guard bar 23 tends to support the chin portion in place; and with the guard 23 arranged to lap the outer side of the faoeguard l5, bar 23 will be rmly held against any blows or impacts, while at the same time affording full protection for the wearers nose.

As the mask is intended especially for soft ball games, namely balls of comparative size, theI openings between the face guard bar l5 and the forehead portion I and between the nose guard bar 23, side frame members 24 and the face guard bar l are too small for the ball to pass through and into contact with the wearers face.

At the same time a full sight opening coextensive with the mask is provided by providing the single guard bar I5; the bar at the same time constituting a bar of the forehead portion of the mask; the single face guard bar providing a comparatively light mask.

The construction disclosed in the drawing and herein described is believed to be the best embodiment of the invention which has been described in terms employed for purposes of description and not as terms of limitation, as modifications are possible and may be made Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:-

1. A mask of the character described comprising a single rod bent into a transversely disposed arcuate forehead section, a transversely disposed arcuate face guard section and side frame sections; a single rod bent into a transversely disposed arcuate chin protecting loop; and a nose guard bar rigidly secured to the face guard section and to the chin protecting loop.

2. A mask of the character described comprising a single rod bent into a transversely disposed arcuate loop, with one side of the loop constituting a forehead section, the other side of the loop constituting a face guard section, while the ends of the loop constitute side frame sections; a transversely disposed arcuate chin protecting portion; 4and a nosey guard bar rigidly secured at its ends to said face guard section and to the chin portion.

3. A mask of the character described comprising ,a single rod bent into a transversely disposed arcuate loop, one side of the loop constituting a forehead section, the other side of the loop constituting a single bar faceguard section, while the ends of the loop constitute side frame sections; a single rod bent into a transversely disposed arcuate chin protecting loop; side frame bars secured to said frame sections and to the chin protecting loop; and a nose guard bar rigidly secured at its upper end to the outer surface of the faceguard section and at its lower end rigidly secured to the chin protecting loop.

4. A mask of the character described comprising a single rod bent into a transversely disposed arcuate loop to constitute a forehead portion and a face guard portion; a single rod bent into a transversely disposed arcuate loop to constitute a chin portion, the longitudinal sides of the loop being spaced apart throughout to provide a pad holding frame; a third rod spaced above the forehead portion of the rst mentioned loop with its ends bent downwardly and secured to said fore-A head portion, said third rod and forehead portion constituting a pad holding frame; and a vertically disposed side frame rod at each end of the chin portion and the face guard portion and secured thereto, the upper ends of saidvertical rods being arranged to overlap the face guard portion of the rst mentioned loop and to extend in spaced relation with a portion ofthe ends of the first mentioned loop and secured thereto to provide a pair of strap receiving portions.

ROBERT MALCOM. 

